Paint roller



Sept. 17, 1963 G. c. DAY 3,103,690

PAINT ROLLER Filed Aug. 29, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet l /2a gr I26 Li IJ P Guy 63 Day 74 INVENTOR.

BY (We/way 5% Sept. 17, 1963 3,103,690

G. C. DAY

PAINT ROLLER Filed Aug. 29, 1961 5 Sheets- Sheet 2 l2 2a 42 I8 44 Fly. 3 44 2e 4 50 I /2 I I/ I I 6 5 46 74 3a 22 Guy 6. Day

INVENTOR.

G. C. DAY

PAINT ROLLER Sept. 17, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 29, 1961 Guy Ne TOR.

BY 5% m United States Patent 3,103,690 PAINT ROLLER Guy C. Day, 203 Pine St., Sweetwater, Tex. Filed Aug. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 134,605 7 Claims. (Cl. 15-510) This invention relates to liquid distribution devices, and particularly to a device for distributing a coating of paint on a surface by means of a roller.

In recent years, particularly since the introduction of latex type paints, the use of roller devices in lieu of paint brushes for applying a coating of paint to surfaces has become very popular. However, one prime disadvantage in the use of rollers for applying paint is the extreme difficulty in cleaning the roller after use, and in keeping or preventing the roller from becoming clogged with paint and foreign particles during use. Accordingly, it is a primary object of my invention to provide a roller type paint applicator with means therein for automatically preventing the roller from becoming clogged and for forcing the paint through apertures in the roller.

It is another object of the invention to provide a roller type liquid distributing device having a handle which is hollow and connected to a liquid supply reservoir for supplying liquids to the roller as needed.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a roller-type liquid distribution device including means for more evenly and more efiiciently distributing the liquid over the roller during use.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a roller-type liquid distribution device having a reservoir and a novel valve means in the reservoir for more efliciently supplying liquid from the reservoir to the roller.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a roller-type paint distributor so designed that it may be easily and quickly disassembled for cleaning and replacement of parts.

It is another object of the invention to provide a rollertype liquid distributor which is economical to manufacture, efficient to operate and durable and long lasting in use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafiter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the complete paint roller, a portion of the handle broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view taken through the axis of the reservoir;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken through the axis of the roller;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the plane of line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the plane of line 5-5 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view of a coupling on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the plane of line 66 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective exploded perspective view of a part of the roller mechanism;

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view of a modified form of a complete paint roller assembly;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of a portion of FIGURE 8 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 10 is a cross sectional elevational view on a 3,1 03,690 Patented Sept. 17, 1963 2 slightly enlarged scale taken substantial-1y on the plane of line 10-10 in FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a vertical cross sectional view of the handle and paint control valve of FIGURE 8 on a slightly enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, it can be seen that the invention comprises a liquid distributing device 10 especially adapted for applying a coating of paint to a surface and comprising a roller assembly 12, a handle extension 14 and a reservoir =16.

The roller assembly 12 comprises a hollow rigid cylindrical member 1-8 having one end closed by an integral circular wall 20 which has a central bore therein integrally connected to and receiving a cup-shaped sleeve 22 which has an integral closed end '24 and a finished bearing surface 26. The opposite end of the cylinder is open and has external threads 26 which mate with the internal threads in a cup-shaped member 28 which forms the other end of (the cylinder. The walls of the cylinder 18 have a substantial number of radial bores 30 formed therein which are arranged in annular rows. The central portion of the cup-shaped member 28 has a circular bore therein which integral-1y receives a bearing sleeve 32 which has a bearing bore 34 therein and an enlarged threaded outer end 36'which extends into a threaded bore of a stepped seal compressing sleeve 38. This sleeve has a reduced extension 40 having a bore therethrough in alignment with the bore 34.

A cylindrical porous cover 42 preferably composed of a thick woolen cloth encompasses the cylinder 18. Preferably, this cover is inherently elastic or contains elastic material therein in addition to the wool so that it will contract tightly on the outer surface of the cylinder 18. In order to secure the cover 42 on the cylinder, small hooks 44 are secured to the cylinder ends 28 and 20 by screws or rivets 46' and extend through the ends of the cover 42 as illustrated in FIGURE 3. Preferably, the outer ends of the hooks do not extend beyond the periphery of the roller cylinder 18.

A tubular bearing shaft 46 is coaxial with the cylinder 18 and extends through its center. One end of the shaft extends into the bearing sleeve 22 for relative rotation with the bearing surface 26, and the other end extends through the bearing surface 34. An elastic annular seal 48 is compressed between the radial flange '50 of the compression sleeve 38 and the end of the sleeve 32 for sealing engagement with the outer surface of the shaft 46.

One end port-ion of the shaft 46 has two diametrically opposed pockets especially shaped so as to receive and retain coil springs 52 and the detent balls 54 which are urged outwardly by the springs 52. The sleeve member 32 has an annular recess 56 formed therein of arcuate cross section which receive the ball detent 54. Coaction between the ball detents and the groove 56 prevent relative axial movement during operation of the shaft and cylinder 18, and also function as ball bearings since the balls 54 are free to rotate within the pockets in the shank 46.

The shaft 46 has two opposed rectangular openings 58 formed between bearing surfaces 26 and 34. These openings are formed by removing diametrically opposed arcuate portions of the shaft.

Secured to the outer surface of the shaft 46 are a plurality of radially extending resilient teeth or fingers 60 preferably composed of piano wire. As shown in FIGURE 7, these teeth are arranged in a coplanar row,

' one-half being on one side ofthe shaft 46, and the other half of the teeth being on the diametrically opposite side of the shaft. These teeth may be welded to the shaft 46, or they may have their inner ends threaded into bores in the shaft so that they may be easily removed and replaced. As shown in FIGURE 4, teeth 60 are normally straight and are arranged in alignment with the bores 30. The length of the teeth is sufficient to extend substantially through the bores, however, due to the length of the teeth they are flexed into an arcuate shape when their outer ends contact the inner surface of the cylinder 18 between the bores 30. I

Also arranged coplanar with the teeth 60 are two flexible vanes 62 integrally formed with an inner arcuate base 64 which is secured to the shaft 46 by means of screws 66. The diametrical distance between the outer edges of the vanes 62 is greater than the interior diameter of the cylinder 18 which causes the vanes to be flexed as shown in FIGURE 4 so that their outer edges have wiping contact with the inner surface of the cylinder 18.

The handle extension 14 comprises a plurality of straight pipe-like sections 70 and a pipe section 72 curved substantially 90 degrees at its central portion. Each of the sections 70 and 72 has an enlarged flared end 74 which receives an adjacent section. As shown in FIG- URE 6, the unflared end of each section has a triangular depression 72 formed therein which creates an abutmerit 74. Each of the flared ends has a resilient hook preferably formed of sheet metal welded thereto at 76. The book has a curved portion 78 which extends over the flared end and a radial portion 80 which is resiliently urged into a recess 72' when the pipe sections are telescoped together. A ball-type handle 82 is secured to the outer edge of each hook for releasing it from the recess 72'. A flexible seal of annular shape is secured within :the flared ends 74 for sealing the connection between the pipe sections.

The reservoir assembly 16 comprises a cylindrical housing 86 open at its upper end and closed at its lower end by a circular bottom 88 and has a central bore therein integrally connected to a short pipe section 90 similar to the pipe section 70.

Snugly received within the housing 86 is a lower portion 92 of a cylindrical reservoir 94 which has a slightly enlarged portion 96 extending beyond the housing 86 and connected to the lower portion by a radial flange 98. The flange 98 is encircled by a resilient seal 100 which is compressed between the flange and the upper end of the housing 86. The lower end of the reservoir 94 is closed by a bottom portion 102 which has a central bore therein integrally connected to a circular nipple 104. The nipple 104 extends into the extension 90 of the housing and has an annular valve seat 106 at its upper end which receives a conical valve member 108 secured to a valve stem 110. The valve stem 110 extends through a hollow sleeve 112 formed integrally with the ceiling 114 which closes the upper end of the reservoir 94. The sleeve 112 has its upper end formed into a radially inwardly extending annular flange 116 and which extends into an annular groove in the outer periphery of an annular seal 118. The stem 110 extends through the seal 118 and has a T-shaped handle 120 fixed to its upper end and a washer 123 cucircling its central portion and resting upon the radial pin 124 extending through the member 110. The coil spring 124 is compressed between the sleeve 118 and the washer 122 for urging the valve member 108 into sealing engagement with the seat 106. As shown in FIGURE 1, the housing 86 and reservoir 94 are releasably secured together by conventional luggage type snap fasteners 126. The reservoir is provided with a conventional flexible handle 128 which extends over the valve handle 120 and is pivotally connected to the reservoir by means of pivoted links 130. The lower portion 92 has a radial bore formed therein which threadedly receives a removable plug 132. This plug is removable for purposes of filling the reservoir 94 which may be easily removed from the housing 86 by releasing the snap fasteners 126 and withdrawing the reservoir from the housing.

In operation, the reservoir 94 is substantially filled with paint or any other desired liquid and the liquid distributing device 10 is assembled as shown in FIG- URE l. The operator holds the device by means of handle 128 and the pipe sections 70. For initially saturat ing the porous roller 42, he lowers the roller assembly 12 below the reservoir 94 and momentarily lifts upwardly on the handle so as to open the valve 106, 108. This allows liquid to flow from the reservoir through the pipe sections into the shaft 46. The liquid flows from the shaft 46 by means of the rectangular openings 58 onto the inner surface of the cylinder 18 whereupon it seeps through the bores 30 onto the inner surface of the cover 42. The cover being porous the paint seeps through the cover to the exterior thereof for saturating the entire cover.

To apply paint to a surface, it is merely necessary to lightly press the roller against the surface and reciprocate the shaft portion 46 parallel to the surface which causes the roller cover 42 to roll thereon and distribute the paint or liquid on the surface. During operation, the resilient teeth 60 are continuously moving into and out of the bores 30 so as to remove all solid or similar solid particles therefrom. It is also to be noted, that the teeth 60 act as a pumping means for actually pumping the liquid through the bores 30. During operation, the paint or liquid also flows from the rectangular openings 58 onto the vanes 62 whereupon the vanes wipe the liquid over the bores 30 for continuously filling the same, after which the teeth 60 snap into the bores and force the liquid therethrough.

When it is desired to clean the apparatus 10, it may be disassembled in an obvious manner for thoroughly cleaning all parts thereof. However, in the event that the bores 30 are not thoroughly cleaned and some paint should harden therein, when the device is used again, the teeth 60 will effectively punch out any dried liquid or paint in the bores.

While the wipers 62 are preferably composed of a resilient material such as rubber or plastic, they may also be made of aluminum formed to the proper shape.

The form of the invention shown in FIGURES 8 through 1 1 has a roller assembly 12 identical to that shown in FIGURES l and 3, however, the handle assembly 14' has a modified shape, and the reservoir 16' is not secured to the handle, but instead is connected thereto by a flexible hose assembly so that paint reservoir 16' may remain stationary while the paint roller is being used.

The paint reservoir 16' comprises a cylindrical can or container 142 having a removable circular top 144 releasably secured thereto by means of a plurality of snap fasteners 146 of conventional design. The top 144 has a handle 148 pivotally connected thereto at diametrically opposite sides thereof. The handle 48 may be used 'for manually carrying the reservoir or for supporting the reservoir on a wall hook .150 during operation of the roller assembly. A removable plug 152 is threaded into the upper side wall of the cylinder 142 for re-filling or emptying to and from the reservoir. A tubular outlet 154 projects downwardly from the center of the reservoir.

The lower or exhaust end 74 of a handle 14 is flared for telescopically receiving the outer end of the tubular bearing shaft 46 for the roller. The lower end of the handle is bent back 180 upon itself at 156 so as to provide a central portion 158 substantially parallel to the axis of the roller 12. The inner end of the central portion 158 is bent upwardly 90 away from the roller so as to form a handle portion 160. The upper end of the portion 160 is connected by a conventional threaded pipe coupling 162 to the lower end of the valve chamber 164 which is of :general cylindrical construction. The bottom portion of the valve chamber 164 is connected to and communicates internally with a tubular pipe extension 166. The pipe extension 166 is releasably connected to the hose assembly 140 by a rotatable internally threaded conventional hose coupling 168. It is to be noted that the hose assembly 140 may comprise a plurality of hose sections releasably connected together by other hose conplings as shown at 168. The upper end of the hose 140 is connected to and telescopically receives the tubular outlet 154.

The bottom of the valve chamber 164- has an annular valve seat 170 concentric with the axis of the chamber 164. A conical valve member 172 is axially slidable in the chamber 164 and normally seats on the valve seat 170 as shown in FIGURE 11. The upper central portion of the valve member 172 is threadedly connected to the valve operating rod 174 which extends upwardly through the upper end of the valve chamber and terminates in a T-handle 176.

As shown in FIGURE 10, the upper end of the valve chamber 164 is threaded at 178, and these threads extend into and mate with the internal threads on a cylindrical valve chamber cap 180. The valve cap 186' has a central bore in its upper surface which snugly receives a flexible sealing member 182. The flexible sealing member has a central bore which slidably and sealingly receives the valve rod 174. The vehicle coil spring 184 surrounds the rod 174- and is compressed between the seal 182 and the upper surface of the valve member .172 for urging the valve downwardly against its seat 17 for preventing flow of paint from the hose assembly 14-0 into the handle portion 160. A U-shaped handle 186 extends over the T- handle 176 and is welded to the valve cylinder v164- as shown at 188.

In operation, the painter holds the handle portion 161 in one hand and grips the handles 176 and 186 in the other hand and manipulates the roller 12 over the surface to be painted. Whenever it is desired to apply more paint to the roller 12, the painter tilts the handle assembly .14 downwardly and squeezes the handle 176 toward the upper portion of the handle 186 so as to open the valve 172 and permit paint to flow from the container 16' through hose 140, past valve 172, through the handle 14 and into the roller 12. By having the paint container 16 supported on the wall bracket 150, the painter is relieved of the burden of carrying the additional weight of the paint around while manipulating the roller 12. Also, the container 16 may be as large as desired without elfecting the operation of the paint roller.

By having the handle 14 shaped as shown in FIGURE 8, equalized pressure may be more easily applied to the roller 12 since the axis of the handle extends through the center of the roller.

It is also to be noted that the handle extension 14' shown in FIGURE 8 may be L-shaped as shown in FIGURE 1 or alternatively the handle extension 14 shown in FIGURE 1 may be shaped as is the handle extension 14' in FIGURE 8. Also, if desired, both modifioations of the paint roller assemblies may be operated without the paint reservoir 16 and 16'.

The container 16' and hose assembly 4 0 shown in FIG- URE 8 may be made from any composition, but preferably made of a durable paint resistant form of plastic.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A liquid applicator comprising a handle, a shaft on the handle, a roller assembly, means rotatably journaling the roller assembly on the shaft, said roller assembly including a cylindrical rigid roller having a chamber therein for containing liquid, bores formed in the roller connecting the chamber to the periphery of the roller, and mechanical means in said chamber arranged to keep said bores open whereby the liquid may freely flow therethrough, said mechanical means comprising resilient fingers fixed to the shaft and slidably engaged with the interior of the roller and of a length to be bent thereby and adapted to snap into said bores when the roller is rotated with respect to the shaft.

2. A liquid applicator comprising a handle, a shaft on the handle, a roller assembly, means rotatably journaling the roller assembly on the shaft, said roller assembly including a cylindrical rigid roller having a chamber therein for containing liquid, bores formed in the roller connecting the chamber to the periphery of the roller, mechanical means in said chamber arranged to keep said bores open whereby the liquid may freely how therethrough, said mechanical means including resilient, stationary fingers fixed on the shaft and riding on the interior of the roller and of a length to be bent thereby and a liquid reservoir carried by said handle, and means comprising a passage through the handle for conducting liquid from the reservoir to the chamber.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said shaft is tubular and provided with openings communicating the passage with the chamber.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said reservoir is connected to said passage by a manually operated valve in said reservoir.

5. A liquid applicator comprising a handle, a shaft on the handle, a roller assembly, means rotatably journaling the roller assembly on the shaft, said roller assembly including a cylindrical rigid roller having a chamber therein for containing liquid, bores formed in the roller connecting the chamber to the periphery of the roller, mechanical means in said chamber arranged to keep said bores open whereby the liquid may freely flow therethrough, said mechanical means including resilient, stationary fingers fixed on the shaft and riding on the interior of the roller and of a length to be bent thereby, said handle comprising a plurality of sections, and snap fasteners releasably connecting said sections together.

6. A liquid applicator comprising a handle, a shaft on the handle, a roller assembly, means rotatably journaling the roller assembly on the shaft, said roller assembly in- I eluding a cylindrical rigid roller having a chamber therein for containing liquid, bores formed in the roller connecting the chamber to the periphery of the roller, mechanical means in said chamber arranged to keep said bores open whereby the liquid may freely flow therethrough, said mechanical means including resilient, stationary fingers fixed on the shaft and riding on the interior of the roller and of a length to be bent thereby, and a porous woolen cover enclosing said roller.

7. A liquid applicator comprising a handle, a shaft on the handle, a roller assembly, means rotatably journaling the roller assembly on the shaft, said roller assembly including a cylindrical rigid roller having a chamber therein for containing liquid, bores formed in the roller connecting the chamber to the periphery of the roller, mechanical means in said chamber arranged to keep said bores open whereby the liquid may freely flow therethrough, said mechanical means comprising resilient fingers fixed to the handle and slidably engaged with the interior of the roller and of a length to be bent thereby and adapted to snap into said bores when the roller is rotated with respect to the shaft, and wiper blades fixed to shaft having wiping contact with the chamber walls for distributing liquid to said bores.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,275,256 Hoe Aug. 13, 1918 1,553,715 Pender Sept. 15, 1925 2,712,950 Siebert July 12, 1955 2,815,522 Hexter Dec. 10, 1957 2,964,769 Mercereau Dec. 20, 1960 

1. A LIQUID APPLICATOR COMPRISING A HANDLE, A SHAFT ON THE HANDLE, A ROLLER ASSEMBLY, MEANS ROTATABLY JOURNALING THE ROLLER ASSEMBLY ON THE SHAFT, SAID ROLLER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL RIGID ROLLER HAVING A CHAMBER THEREIN FOR CONTAINING LIQUID, BORES FORMED IN THE ROLLER CONNECTING THE CHAMBER TO THE PERIPHERY OF THE ROLLER, AND MECHANICAL MEANS IN SAID CHAMBER ARRANGED TO KEEP SAID BORES OPEN WHEREBY THE LIQUID MAY FREELY FLOW THERETHROUGH, SAID MECHANICAL MEANS COMPRISING RESILIENT FINGERS FIXED TO THE SHAFT AND SLIDABLY ENGAGED WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE ROLLER AND OF A LENGTH TO BE BENT THEREBY AND ADAPTED TO SNAP INTO SAID BORES WHEN THE ROLLER IS ROTATED WITH RESPECT TO THE SHAFT. 